Sevilla have turned down an informal bid from Manchester United for Jules Kounde.
Duncan Castles, speaking on the Reach PLC Transfer Window podcast, claims that United and Sevilla held informal discussions about the French defender.
The Red Devils are desperate to sign a top class centre-half to partner Harry Maguire this summer, with Real Madrid's Raphael Varane another target.
United's informal offer to Sevilla was reportedly too low, but they have been given a price that the Spanish club would find acceptable. Sevilla want at least €65 million for Kounde.
Castles said on the podcast: "Yeah Kounde has been on that list of centre-backs that they want to add to solve the Harry Maguire problem for some time now.
"I can tell you they have contacted Sevilla, and held informal talks with them, over the purchase of Kounde this summer.
"And they proposed they would offer €45million (38m) as a transfer fee for the player.
"Sevilla aren't happy with that. Monchi, their sporting director, told United there was no way he'd sell the player for €45m."
